Burial apparatus.



Patanted Aug. 8, I899. v R. R. KINNEY. a'umA'L APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 11, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Shut (No Model.)

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No. 630,459. Patented Aug. 8, 1899..

I B. R. KINNEY.

BURIAL APPARATUS.

(Amines-Hon filed. m. 11, 1897.) (No Iodol.) 3 Shook-Shoat 2.

Witnesses. Inventor.

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UNITED ST T sf PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD R. KINNEY, OF KALAMAZOO,MICHIGAN,'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM L. EARTH, OF COLDWATER, MICHIGAN.

BURIAL APPARATUS.

sPEcIFIoA'rIon forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,459, dated August 8, 1899.

Application filed March 11, 1897. Serial No. 627,053. (No model.)

To all whont it ntaty concern: 7

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. KINNEna citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burial Apparatus, of which the followingis a speci-' and yet under complete control, so that the coffin or casket can be properly and evenly lowered to the bottom of the grave; second, to provide a new and improved controlling means for such purposes; third, to provide a compact and efficient device for the purpose; fourth, to provide an improved means of antomatically releasing the lowering-cords in .such a device, and, fifth, to' provide a mechanism for the purpose that is safe as well as efficient.

Further objects will appear definitely in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices, mechanism, and means described in the following specification, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure lis a top plan view of the same, with portions of casing broken away to show details of construction and the parts near the guiding-sheaves shown in section to show the relation of parts. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail plan View of the winding-drum and actuating or controlling mechanism at one end thereof, showing adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the pump and the controlling-cylinder connectr. ing-pipes and valves. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation, taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing the lever or handle for the pump. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detail sectional elevation taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional longitudinal elevation taken on line 6 .6 of Fig. 5, showing a portion of the pump, controlling-cylinder, valves, and connections. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 2, showing the safety-dog and ratchet for the controllingshaft. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail elevation of the cornerof the case shown in Fig. 2, showing the head of shaft C and lever for controlling the same. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of one of the adjustable hangers for the guiding-sheaves, showing the sheave and the guiding-arms N for the automatic detaching device. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional elevation on line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of one of the guiding-arms N, showing a stop and eye T for cord e. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view of one of the automatic detaching devices, taken on line 13 13 of Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view showing the method of hinging the parts of the frame or casing together.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the'section-line's.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents a frame made of a rectangular casing corresponding in size to the top of a grave. The ends of the casing are divided and hinged together on the under side by the hinge f, so that one side can be folded upon the other during transportation. In one end B of the casing is supported on suitable bearings a shaft 0, which is divided at its center and joined together bysleeve-union U to permit the shaft to separate when the frame is folded for transportation and permit the parts of the shaft to join when the case is opened out for use. On each end of this shaft is a winding-drum C, and from each drum extends a pair of cords or ropes e c. These cords are guided by suitable supported on adjustable brackets S. To each bracket S is pivoted an adjustable guidingarm N, the use of which will hereinafter be explained. Each arm N is provided with an adjustable stop N to indicate the correct position of the coffin or casket to be placed thereon when they receive the load to be lowered. The ends of the cords e are provided with elongated links 2. These cords are the means by which the casket or coffin is lowered into the grave, the work being accom-. plishedby a proper controlling of the windlass or drum O C, which will be'definitely; The cords e, extending from, opposite each other, are drawn together and project into the automatic detaching block or The ends, of each block contain suitable openings, in "which are inserted suitable pins M, having One of the points of the casting M provided for each pair.

double points 0 0".

pins 7" is longer than the point r. These are rested against suitable shoulders in the de-1 vice, and pin r projects beyond the bottom. of the block M. The shorter pin 1 is slightly,

hooked and engages the link e on the end of its corresponding cord. The sides of the block M are made flat, and the guiding-arms N rest against the same'to hold them in position till the load is adjusted. The cords e extend through eyes T, secured to the sides,

of the arms N, and, when the cords are lowered under the load, carry down the arms out of the way as the coffin descends. From this description it is clear that when the cords and device are in position to receive a load the detaching device M is held in position by the guiding=arms N. When the load is lowered, the cords, acting on the arms, N through the eyes T, carry them down out of the way.

When the cofiin reaches the bottomof the grave, the elongated ends 0" of pins Mstrike the bottom first and are pressed up, carrying the short ends 1" out of the links 6, releasing the cords, which can then be removed. 7

7 On the shaft 0 is situated a ratchet-wheel D, with adog D on its under side. Theteeth of the ratchet-wheel are of such form that they retain the dog until the ratchet is moved task to release the same, which is done by a cylinder E E, where the same is controlled by a piston under fluid-pressure. The fluid preferred by me consists of a mixture of alcoholand water which will not freeze. Water},

may be used when the temperature permitsj I provide a pump F, having a piston F" connected to handle I of the valve.

This is secured to 1 the end of apiston-rod E, which extends from and pumprod F, operated by lever L and handle L',as clearly appears, for pumping the fluid through the pipe G from the bottom of in g the top of the cylinder E with pipe G to permit the escape of fluid from cylinder E. The valve H is controlled by lever K, which operates the same through any suitablefconnections. The connection shown consists of chain K over sheave K, rod J, connected to said chain and drawn back by spring K", intermediate lever J, with stop t', and link I, Pressure on lever K opens the valve H and permits the fluid to escape to the top of the cylinder E and allows the reel or drum 0 to revolve, which unwinds the cords e and allows the cofiin or load to descend. I

When my improved burial mechan sm is in place, the cofiin or casket is placed on the central supportsin the position indicated by the guides N. When all is ready, the operator inserts his lever R in the head on the end of shaft 0 and moves the same till he releases the dog D, which. drops out of the engagement. lever K. is then depressed and through its connections opens the valve H the amount required to lower the coflin at the required speed. After the coflin is lowered the cords can be partially raised outof the way by rotating the shaft backward by the lever B.

Having thus described my improved burial apparatus, I desire to state that it can be considerably varied in its details without-departing from my invention. In connection with the remaining apparatus other automatic releasing devices might be employed than those I have shown, and the releasing device is capable of use elsewhere. The exactposit-ion of the controlling cylinder E is not material. It might be located in some other place in an independent casing from the remainder of the device, though the position in which I have shown it is preferred by me. I also desire to state that it may be possible to dis- .pense with the guiding-arm N for retaining thedetaching device M in position, though the same as used by me retains all the parts nicely in position and is easily controlled and is out of theway when not in use. 'As I have The lever B is then removed. The

shaft 0, and for that matter the entire frame I might be made non-folding,though that would not be convenient for transportation. The casing B over the end B is made hinged, so that it can be opened for the inspection of the parts. The lever L is made removable, so that all can be easily incased.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'- 1. In a burial apparatus the combination of a suitable frame corresponding in dimensions to the top of a grave, the ends of which frame are divided; a suitable hinge between the parts of the frame; a controlling-shaft on one end of the frame divided into two parts detachably joined together; winding-drums on said shaft; means of controlling the same; and cords or belts extending therefrom through suitable guides to the middle of the frame for the purpose specified.

2. In a burial apparatus the combination of suitable lowering cords or belts; a block M, between opposite cords; pins M, with double points 430", in the ends of said block M, the point r, of which is longest and projects below the bottom of the block; and link 6, on the cords to engage the shorter part r; so that when lowered to the bottom the pin will be pressed up by the longer part r", striking the bottom so automatically releasing the cords or belts as specified.

3. In a burial apparatus the combination of a suitable frame corresponding in dimensions to the top of a grave; lowering cords or belts projecting over suitable guides from the sides to the space at the center of the frame; an automatic detachable connection at the center between the cords or belts consisting of a block and downwardly-projecting connecting-pins at each end; and pivoted arms N, on each side of the frame projecting toward the center to retain the connection in position at that point for the purpose specified.

4. In a burial apparatus the combination of a suitable frame corresponding in dimensions to the top of a grave; lowering cords or belts projecting over suitable guides from the sides to the space at the center of the frame; an

automatic detachable connection at the center between the cords or belts consisting of a block and downwardly-projecting connecting-pins at each; pivoted arms N, on each side of the frame projecting toward the center to retain the connections in position; and stops N, on the arms N, to indicate the correct p0 sition of the load for the purpose specified.

5. In a burial apparatus the combination of a suitable frame corresponding in dimensions to the top of a grave; lowering cords or belts suitably guided thereon; mechanism for controlling said cords; a hydraulic cylinder with its piston connected thereto by a suitable belt; a force-pump with pipes connecting the top and bottom of said cylinder; and a pipe with a stop-cock valve therein connecting the top and bottom of the cylinder for the purpose specified.

6. In a burial apparatus, the combination with oppositely-lowering cords or belts bearing-links at their lower ends, and a detachable block at the center having pins toward each end thereof which are double-pointed, one of which points projects below the under side of the detachable block and the other of which is considerably shorter in length,the said pins being considerably guided within the block and the shorter limb of which is detached to engage the links of the lowering cords or belts, so that when a load is on the central block and it is lowered to the bottom the longer por tion of the pin strikes the bottom and forces the shorter portion to disengage the link and release the belt, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD R. KINNEY. [L.S.]

Witnesses:

D. ELDRED W001), J. RAYMOND WILDER. 

